Lions, tigers, and bears.... oh my!

Face to Face with Science!

What a wonderful place to experience wildlife and nature up-close:  Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.

In this one park, you can:

• experience an African safari
• observe animals
• learn from on-site animal researchers
• see how conservation works
• learn the names of plant life, animals, and insects found in the park
• hear nature sounds
• and much more!

Bring your science classes to life!





When you prepare for your trip, have your children bring a journal with them.  Have them record what they see, sketch or take a picture to add later, and write their reaction.  This will give them a great resource for the future and a memory to treasure!

**This came into my email very timely -
If you have google earth installed visit:
http://sites.concept3d.com/dwcf/widget/v2.0/# 
Very cool way to see how Disney is involved with conservation!

Hidden Mickeys

One of our favorite things to do when we visit the parks a Disney park or cruise ship is to look for "Hidden Mickeys".  These are basically anything that looks like the shape of Mickey's head.  You can make a family game out of locating them.

As a learning opportunity, you could create a list as you find them, take photos, and then have your kids create a spreadsheet or other documentation of them when you return home.

You can find Hidden Mickeys in the carpet, wallpaper, signs, decorations, clusters of objects placed in such a way they make Mickey's head, etc.  For example, look at the arrangement of mirrors in one of the bathrooms on the new Disney Dream cruise ship, as well as the walls and carpet in the hallway. 

Happy Hidden Mickey Hunting!!!!

If I could turn back time...

Have you wanted to share with your children what it was like in the past or things you enjoyed in your childhood?  And I mean more than just reading a book or watching a movie?

Well, you can step back in time with various attractions in the Orlando theme parks (some are also found in the Anaheim theme parks).

Here are a few to get you thinking:

Magic Kingdom

• Hall of Presidents - learn about the US Presidents and some of the history of our great nation
• Carousel of Progress - follow the American family through time and watch as "progress" happens

Epcot

•  American Adventure Show -  learn about the beginnings of the US
• Spaceship Earth - follow the history of communication

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Step back in time with the Citizens of Hollywood (street performers)
• The Great Movie Ride takes you through some history's great movies

 ------------------------

Universal Studios

• Lucy - A Tribute - learn about one of our favorite funny ladies

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Jurassic Park - dive into the world of dinosaurs
• Poseidon's Fury - venture through the ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon

What can you add to the list?



Here is one of my favorite pieces of history.  The delorean from Back to the Future!!  I had to share this with my kids!  LOL!

It's all in the numbers... fun holiday facts

Passing along a few fun holiday facts from the AllEars newsletter:

Holidays WDW Style --

• 1,300 decorated trees throughout property
• 10 miles of twinkling rope lights in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• 150 tractor-trailer truckloads of decorations for 24 resorts, four theme parks, Downtown Disney and other locations
• 15 miles of garland strung and 1,314 wreaths hung throughout the Vacation Kingdom
• 300,000 yards of ribbon and bows draping over Christmas trees across property
• 8.5 million lights strung throughout Walt Disney World Resort
• A Christmas tree in Magic Kingdom with a base 25 feet wide

Disney Dream to set sail 2011!!

The Disney Dream is scheduled for its maiden sailing on January 26, 2011! 

What a great place for learning opportunities!  (going beyond the theme parks)

In addition to the kids activities already scheduled on the ship, you could try some of these ideas: 

• Learn about the history, culture, and language(s) of the port cities you will visit   
• Look at maps of the port cities and plan what you want to see / do  
• Research the statistics of the ship you will be sailing (size, capacity, where built, how fast can it sail, etc.)  
• Try counting things on the ship - how many windows on a particular deck, number of doors on your hallway before getting to your room, how many "hidden Mickey's" can you find, etc.  
• Talk to those who are working on the ship.  Many of them are from other countries.  Ask them questions about where they are from, their customs, foods they enjoy eating, and what they enjoy doing in their free time.  
• There are MANY great activities planned on the ship, as well as in the kids programs.  Take advantage of these and seek out learning opportunities.  Have your children describe the activity and tell you their favorite part(s).   
• Keeping a journal during the sailing would be a great way to not only learn, but bring back all of their memories! 

What other ideas can you think of?  Please share!!!

This ship will have several new and unique features - 

·  AquaDuck a first-of-its-kind water coaster. 

·  Magical Portholes offer a “virtual window” for inside staterooms, with a "view" outside the ship where high-definition cameras feed live video to each stateroom. 

·  Enchanted Art looks like other hanging art pieces, but is actually a framed LCD screen with technology that recognizes a guest is present. 

The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Fla., while sister ship Disney Fantasy, is set to sail seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.  These two ships are welcomed by Disney Cruise Lines existing ships the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. 

Is it all about the food?

With the Food and Wine festival at Epcot approaching, I thought it would be a good time to reiterate the wonderful educational opportunities found in this theme park.

The World Showcase area of Epcot gives your students the chance to see, hear, and taste new things.  Instead of walking through the World Showcase, I highly recommend diving in ---

• Interact with the cast members working in the shops and restaurants.  Many of them are from the country they represent.  Notice their accents, ask about the country, and if you are studying the language of the country - this is a great opportunity to try a conversation.  
• Taste something new in each country (during the Food and Wine festival even more countries have food available in small booths placed between the regular attractions).   A suggestion for trying the food - share!  Trying to have something new in each country can fill you before you are finished, so share with others in your party.  This will allow you to try even more!
•  Look around!  You can definitely get an idea of the architecture from each country.  The buildings were designed to replicate the architecture you would see if traveling there.
• Enjoy the entertainment!  As you progress around the World Showcase stop for the movies, street entertainers, musicians, acrobats, dancers, and more!
• Purchase or create a "passport" type book and have it stamped at the Kidcot stops in each country.
• Younger kids will enjoy the kidcot stops, while a little older children may enjoy the Kim Possible missions that take you around the World Showcase.

What do you enjoy when visiting the World Showcase?  I would love to hear!

Great theme park game -

One of my dear friends shared this game with our family on our last visit to Disney World. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing it with all of you.

It's a fantastic time filler when you are waiting on transportation or in line for an attraction.

Everyone takes a turn, until you can no longer come up with a unique item to add. Decide what order each member of your party will speak. Choose a theme, such as "Disney Movies". Each person (one at a time) must say the title of a Disney movie. If you repeat the same movie title someone previously shared, you are out of the game. Keep going until there is one person left.

The object of the game is to be the last person remaining to only say a new item and not repeat an item already spoken.

This game could be played with an endless number of themes.

I hope I described this clearly. :) Post if you have any questions.